"Parents and teachers must be more aware about children and their environment."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Student violence has become a serious problem in Jakarta in recent days, particularly because of the use of sharp weapons.
The rising level of violence in schools and the increasing frequency of student brawls are totally unacceptable and something must be done to tackle these issues.
It is reasonable to assume that home environment plays a significant role in the development of a child`s character. Student brawls, therefore, might be stemming from parental alcoholism, domestic violence, and physical abuse of children. Such things teach them that criminal and violent activities are acceptable.
Also, some educators believe that harsh parental discipline leads to a higher level of aggressiveness in children. Neighbourhoods with drug addicts and high crime rates also contribute to violent behaviour, which is then exhibited at schools.
Rohmani, a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission X on education, culture, sports and tourism, stated that at least 16 students had been killed so far in 2012 in inter-school brawls across the country.
He expressed regret over the recent death of two students.
On September 26, a student died after a brawl between Yake Vocational High School and Kartika Zeni Vocational High School students, which took place near Jalan Sahardjo, Tebet, South Jakarta.
Two days earlier, on September 24, a student was killed during a brawl between State Senior High School 6 Bulungan and State Senior High School 70 in South Jakarta.
"It is reasonable for the public to ask why violence often involves the younger generation," said Rohmani, who is a member of the Prosperous Justice Party faction in the DPR.
"What is wrong with our educational system? Why does violence still happen in the educational sector?" Rohmani asked.
However, the Bangka-Belitung (Babel) Culture and Education Office spokesman Wahyudin said the education system should not be blamed for the recent rise in the number of student brawls.
"I do not agree that the increasing number of student brawls in Jakarta is a reflection of the failure of the national education system," he said in Pangkalpinang, Babel, on Tuesday.
Wahyudin bases his argument on the fact that most students across the country are not involved in any form of violence and have outstanding educational achievements instead.
He pointed out that students in Babel province never engaged in brawls or any form of violence and, therefore, what happened in Jakarta recently "should not be generalised".
"I think the rise in student brawls and violence in big cities is due to the degradation of our nation`s cultural values, thanks to the influx of unfiltered foreign culture," Wahyudin stated.
"Therefore, the nation`s cultural values must be cultivated in the hearts and minds of the students in order to offset the negative influence of foreign culture," he said.
"Character education, involving discipline, religion, tolerance and other values should be given to the students so they think twice before committing any criminal act," Wahyudin added.
Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar also said character education should be included in school curriculum.
"Character education must be part of the national curriculum so the younger generation engages less in anarchism, brawls, and vandalism," she stated.
She made the statement in light of the rising number of student brawls in the country, particularly in Jakarta.
"These frequent students brawls reflect a deterioration of social and moral values in the nation's youth. Therefore, character education should be included in the school curriculum," Linda noted.
"Character education should be promoted and put into practice as often as possible, because students of good character will not be easily influenced by bad elements in their surrounding environment," she explained.
Meanwhile, Rahmat Heldy, a lecturer at Banten Jaya University`s School of Teacher Training and Education, said character education was necessary because it could help prevent student brawls.
"From what I see, student brawls happen because of the lack of character education," he said here on Tuesday.
"Character education can be given to students by the teachers as well as by the parents for example, while watching movies and entertainment shows on the television," he noted.
"It is necessary because many entertainment shows on the television lack educational value. In fact, some students try to imitate the violence exhibited on these shows," Rahmat pointed out.
He said the lessons from character education must be implemented in everyday life, adding that the current education system focused only on "acquiring academic competencies".
"Therefore, teachers should also give proper guidance to students during extracurricular and religious activities as well as during talent scouting and mentoring," Rahmat went on.
According to Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, religious education also plays an important role in shaping the mind and character of the students.
"I will discuss whether it should be included in school curriculum or be incorporated in extracurricular activities outside teaching hours," Suryadharma said after attending Pancasila Sanctity Day at Lubang Buaya recently.
"Additional religious education is necessary for students to better develop their moral values, which should lead to a reduction in negative behaviours such as brawls, vandalism, and drug abuse," he added.
Suryadharma stated that parents should also actively participate in educating their children and "not entirely entrust the job to schools".
"Parents and teachers must be more aware about children and their environment," he pointed out.
National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) spokesman Sudibyo Alimoeso also stated that parents played an important role in shaping the character of their children.
"The family should be a convenient place for children to share their problems with their parents," he said.
"Adolescence is a transitional period during which the children seek their true identity," Sudibyo noted.
"There must be good communication between parents and children," he said, adding that teachers should also play an important role, as role models and friends.
(T.O001/INE/KR-BSR/B003)
Reporter: by Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
